Metal tile



Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNiTED STATES PATENT rrics 5 Claims.

This invention relates to wall structures and particularly to the manufacture and installation of iron enameled tile.

An object of the invention is the provision of 5 an improved metal tile which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and easy to install.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device which will afford a permanent construction for use in bathrooms, kitchens and other places where tile is generally used, in which application there will result no cracking or falling as a result of the settlement or expansion of the construction.

' Another object of the invention is the provision of a metal tile of great strength and rigidity which may be installed direct to the studding without the necessity of providing a scratch coat or other fiat surface as a backing for the tile.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a metal tile formed with anchors for supporting the grout.

Another object of the invention is the provision of wall sections which may be pre-formed in the shop and installed on the job by unskilled workmen.

I am aware that there are other metal tiles on the market, some of which are reasonably efficient but I have found, however, that certain difficulties are encountered in using them. For example, in the present practice it is customary-to use either clay tile or enameled iron tile and to secure them to metal or wood lath by means of a scratch coat and float coat and in the case of 3-3 the use of clay tile it is necessary tosoak the tile before installing it. Such applications require expert or skilled labor for the installation. A disadvantage is encountered, in that it requires considerable time to allow the scratch coat to settle for hardening before the float coat can be applied and further considerable time must be allowed for the finished wall to harden before the wall fixtures can be installed. It is my purpose to obviate these difficulties with my invention. The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a panel embodyin my invention and illustrating the manner in which the panel may be secured direct to the studding.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 3-45 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing it will be seen that in the embodiment disclosed I have illustrated a metal panel l which is divided into a plurality of smaller panels 8 simulating tiles, which may be of any predetermined size and shape and enameled any suitable color.

The panel 7 is stamped of any suitable gauge metal and is formed with marginal flanges 9, which are preferably divided into smaller lengths it], the latter being arranged to serve as spacers as hereinafter described. The flanges 33 are formed with a plurality of equally spaced apertures ii, the purpose of which will appear hereinafter. Extending across the panel 7 and defining the panels 8 are a plurality of grooves l2, which in this embodiment are positioned vertically and horizontally, although they will generally take the direction necessary to outline the shape of the smaller panels 8. These grooves are preferably made about one-eighth of an inch deep and are provided with holes l3 and I4.

After the panel I is stamped with the required number of small panels, it is laid on its face and its marginal edges are bent upwardly and the resulting pan-shaped unit is then filled with cement or other suitable filler 15 (Fig. 2) to a depth of the flanges 9. Re-enforcing rods 16 are laid at spaced intervals in the cement i5 and are allowed to protrude through the apertures l i in the flanges 9 and through the holes id. The protruding ends of the rods iii are intended to engage corresponding apertures in the flanges of adjacent panels and serve as means to align the panels 1 with panels placed adjacent thereto. After the backs of the panels have been filled with cement l5 as shown in Fig. 2, the panels are ready to be installed as shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. l, I have illustrated the manner in which the panel 1 may be secured direct to the studding ll without the necessity of using a metal lath, a scratch coat or any other form of backing. The panel I being secured direct to the studding H" by means of nails I8 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. After the panels have been secured in place by means of nails l8 which extend through the apertures l3, the grooves 52, which define the boundary lines of the small panels 8, are then filled with grout l9 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In securing panels 1 adjacent one another'the short flanges it are bent tothe proper angle to serve as spacers between the adjacent panels. As shown in Fig. 2, the cement l5 extends through the openings formed by the loops [4 and provides rough anchor surfaces to which the grout l9 easily adheres. When the grooves l2 are completely filled with grout I9, the nail holes l3, the heads of the nails l8, and the rods l6 are completely submerged so that the face of the panel 1 presents a finished appearance resembling the installation of individual tiles secured in place in the customary manner.

It is obvious that a wall constructed in the manner herein disclosed will be Very solid, although the panels are secured directly to the studding Without the necessity of other backing.

It is possible in using tile constructed in this manner to prefabricate entire wall panels to fit the dimensions of the room to be tiled. This prefabrication may be done elsewhere and may be installed on the job by unskilled workmen Without any danger of having the installation ruined by careless workmanship or other elements which might enter into the erection of a tile wall.

Although I have herein disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that certain modifications may be made, all of which are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. With a metal tile wall panel having spaced tile units, the combination of a plurality of bendable side flanges, each flange having a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough and rods extending through said apertures, said rods and said flanges being arranged so that by bending said flanges different degrees of adjustment can be effected between adjacent panels.

2. With a metal tile wall panel having spaced tile units, the combination of a plurality of bendable side flanges, each flange having a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough and rods extending through said apertures, said flanges being adjustable on said rods by bending said flanges.

3. The combination with a metal tile panel, of a plurality of apertured flange sections along each side of said panel, and rods extending through the apertures of oppositely disposed flanges, and arranged to permit the adjustment thereon of said flanges, said adjustment being effected by bending said flanges.

4. The combination with a metal tile panel having an integral cementitious backing, of a plurality of bendable apertured flanges along each side of said panel, rods extending through the apertures of oppositely disposed flanges and arranged to permit the adjustment thereon of the flanges of said panel and the flanges of an adjacent similar panel, said adjustment being effected by the bending of said flanges.

5. The combination with a metal tile panel having spaced tile units with apertures therebetween and a cementitious back filler, of a plurality of bendable flanges on each side of said panel, said flanges having equally spaced apertures therethrough, and rods extending Well through the apertures of the flanges on opposite sides of said panel, said rods being adapted to permit the adjustment thereon of said flanges by bending said flanges, said rods also being arranged to serve as means to align adjacent panels by engaging the apertures in the flanges of adjacent panels.

ISAAC ERMAN. 

